Galle
This boho cafe has a fusion menu that includes Western sandwiches and Eastern curries, fresh juices and shakes, bacon-and-egg hoppers and filter coffee…
Must-see restaurants in Sri Lanka
Galle Oriental Bakery Restaurant
Matara
The best central option is a creaky but historic place with lots of little dining rooms, a wooden interior and warped display cases bulging with baked and…
Ella
A wooden treehouse-like shack with friendly staff, great-tasting local meals and cheap prices. You'll pass it as you walk along the railway tracks between…
Dambulla Heritage Resthouse Restaurant
Dambulla
This classy cafe-restaurant, all monochrome photographs and period furniture, is atmospheric for a drink or meals such as pot-roasted chicken and lake…
Trincomalee
Head up the stairs to this tidy place that offers reliably good noodles, rice, kotthu, soup and ‘devilled’ dishes. Try the special fried rice with chicken…
Colombo
Unchanged in decades, you don’t visit Carnival for the ice cream (which is more icy than creamy), but rather for the timeless ice-cream-parlour surrounds…
Jaffna & the North
This roadside bakery 1km south of the centre is small, but it has a big selection that is fresh all day. Choose from savoury items such as rolls filled…
Ella
It’s 3pm, you’re in the Hill Country; that must mean it’s time to have a nice cup of tea and a slice of homemade lemon or chocolate cake. What better…
Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa
The restaurant of the Amal Villa is a deservedly popular place, with both interior and beachside dining options. The attached beach bar has live music and…
Batticaloa
Eating here is a full sensory experience; the food has some spicy dash. There's excellent biryanis, noodles and kotthu (rotti chopped up and mixed with…
Tangalla & Around
Sitting on wobbly stilts 1.5km east of the town centre near the 198km post, this eccentric wooden shack is worth considering for the mangrove views; the…
Tangalla & Around
With a wonderful beachside location, this hotel restaurant is a memorable setting for a meal. You can wiggle your feet in the sand and feast on fresh…
Unawatuna
One Love has a nice spread of tables on the sand. Amid a plethora of shrimp-grilling cafes, this is the preferred local option for a classic rice and…
The Ancient Cities
An unexpectedly modish bakery-restaurant, 30m from the bus station, with decent Sri Lankan and Western dishes. Omelettes are available as well as rice and…
Galle
Opposite the bus station, this highly popular lunch spot, with its impossible-to-resist sweet and savoury short eats and tasty curries, is an authentic…
Ella
For a quick pit stop and refuel head to this place (they also do a takeaway service). Its deliciously tasty rottis come in a wealth of flavours and are…
Colombo
Iconic rice and curry joint in a corner location, close to the action. It's clean and well-run, with an engaging crew who welcome all comers. The string…
Wunderbar Hotel and Restaurant
Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa
The Wunderbar Hotel and Restaurant has an enjoyable 1st-floor cabana-style restaurant open to nonguests and sea breezes, and a decent selection of seafood…
Polonnaruwa
This hotel's dining room enjoys a terrific perspective over the calm waters of the tank, and it's air-conditioned, so it offers a lunchtime respite from…
Arugam Bay
Simple roadside joint that works well for a decent rice and curry and genuine Sri Lankan meals at affordable prices. Also serves some Western food,…
The Hill Country
This superb tea store has high-quality leaves from across the hills and lots of china and teapots for sale. Its tearoom is perfect for a refined brew and…
Tissamaharama
A simple, open-sided restaurant popular for rice and curry. There are regular fresh seafood specials that are right off the grill, as well as lunch…
Batticaloa
If only they sold T-shirts! This cute little shopfront sells various types of rice and curry in shiny surrounds. The motto: 'I'm healthy and tasty'…
The Ancient Cities
For a step up in class from your standard-issue rice and curry, this unlikely location offers delicious Sri Lankan meals that are varied and flavourful.
The East
The reliable local chain has a good-sized outlet near the bus terminal. Stock up on Western foods and groceries.
Hikkaduwa & Around
The best selection of foods and toiletries in town, with beach toys upstairs and wine and beer next door.
Jaffna
Smell the popcorn at this kid-friendly park cafe where you can get fresh juices, snacks and light meals.
Matara
A large supermarket on the main road where you can stock up on supplies; also has a pharmacy.
Colombo
In a beautiful old colonial mansion in one of Colombo’s most exclusive streets, this refined restaurant specialises in authentic Italian fare. The menu…
Anuradhapura
It's nothing that special, but if you're in urgent need of some air-con and non-local food this large 2nd-floor restaurant has lots of vaguely Chinese and…
Tissamaharama
This Western-style restaurant always has a few tourist vans parked out front. The setting is peaceful, and its even got a bit of style. Food spans the…
Galle
This tiny hole-in-the-wall place caters to backpackers and serves generous portions of curries, various pasta dishes and okay pizzas. The paintings on the…
Nuwara Eliya Golf Club Dining Room
Nuwara Eliya
The dining room at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club serves classic bland English cuisine, such as lamb chops with mint sauce, and a few Asian dishes. Smart dress…
Galle
Eat under the twinkling star-lit sky with views of a spinning lighthouse. The food is fine, but note that the original 'mama' has moved with her recipes…
Jaffna & the North
A bare bones restaurant on the main roundabout at the bus station with a range of curry dishes, grilled fish and spicy chicken. There are even simpler…
